Elder abuse is not an uncommon social issue, although it gets significantly less recognition than aggression between spouses or violence against children. For instance, child negligence or harassment is also exposed to massive discussion, and the case of struggles in orphanages are known for many years of history. However, when it comes to the elderly, there is not much awareness of the mistreatment and trauma that they might go through in their lives. They regularly experience physical and psychological abuse in care facilities, hospitals, or even inside their own houses from family members (Elder abuse, 2021). The conflict perspective may give a better understanding of the causes of this phenomenon. Due to the numeral social biases and stereotypes, it is believed that when people reach a certain age, they lose their initial value and become mostly excluded from society due to physical and mental limitations. Thus, older adults are often viewed as a burden or not a highly functioning group whose existence is only awaiting the inevitable passing since they can hardly contribute to any social activities.
Consequently, it makes them extremely vulnerable and puts them at risk of becoming an object of someone’s aggression, the tendency to violence, or financial fraud. Therefore, society experiences a lack of attention towards this problem because, consciously or unconsciously, it perceives the elderly as someone whose life and struggles do not matter to such an extent to raise awareness. In comparison to other social groups, the value and benefits the elderly can bring are considered to be noticeably low. In turn, society neglect the elderly’s needs and sufferings since there is not much use it can get from people of older age.
Reference
Elder abuse. (2021). World Health Organization. Web.